The EUROTRASH TOP STORY has to be the 2025 Tour de France route, what do people think? Tadej Pogačar looking forward to a ‘tricky’ and ‘ruthless’ 2025 Tour de France, Remco Evenepoel’s thoughts on the Tour route, green jersey Biniam Girmay is excited, will we see Wout van Aert in the Tour de France next year? Jasper Philipsen sees a ‘unique’ opportunity, first yellow jersey extra incentive for Dylan Groenewegen, few time trial kilometres, but Lefevere is optimistic about Tour chances of Evenepoel, No bonus sprints on climbs, Mark Cavendish talks Tour and his future and will Mathieu van der Poel ride the Tour next year?
Rider news: 48-year-old Óscar Sevilla will continue for another year, Elia Viviani still ambitious and has no plans to stop yet and Bart Wellens not pleased with the Koppenbergcross date.
Team news: UAE Team Emirates claims UCI crown for second successive season, CANYON//SRAM Racing announces new co-title partner, Bahrain Victorious announce four new riders, Alpecin-Deceuninck – Five new faces – Four promotions, Team Novo Nordisk sign British talent Hamish Armitt, Nina Berton signs with EF-Oatly-Cannondale – Luxembourger is a budding classics rider and Fausto Masnada joins Astana Qazaqstan.
Race news: In Pontevedra (Spain) the best specialists for the cyclo-cross European championships, World champion Tadej Pogačar at Beking 2024, Velux becomes official partner of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, 2025 Arctic Race of Norway – Back on the beaten track and Santos Tour Down Under 2025 Legends Night Dinner: Tickets on sale.
Plus: Parkhotel Valkenburg’s Chinese adventure video.
TOP STORY: The 2025 Tour de France Route
The 2025 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift routes were presented by A.S.O.’s Christian Prudhomme in the Palais des Congrès de Paris on Tuesday. The 112th Tour starts in Lille and for the first time for years, stays within the French borders. There are many stages for the sprinters and big climbs including Luchon-Superbagnères, the Mont Ventoux and the Col de la Loze. there are two time trials, one over 33 flat kilometres and an 11 kilometre mountain trial to Peyragudes. Unlike last year, the finish is on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Many of the top stars missed the route reveal as they are on holiday, but we have gathered as many ‘ride Tour quotes as we could find:
- You can see the ‘TOUR’25 Route: PEZ First Look’ HERE.
- The men’s Tour de France route announcement HERE.
- The women’s Tour de France route announcement HERE.
The 2025 Tour de France route
Tadej Pogačar Looking Forward to a ‘Tricky’ and ‘Ruthless’ 2025 Tour de France
Tadej Pogačar is looking forward to next year’s Tour de France after seeing the route. The UAE Team Emirates Tour winner calls the Queen stage to the Col de la Loze particularly ruthless. “It has so many kilometres of climbing, it’s going to be really brutal,” the Slovenian told L’Équipe.
Pogačar was not at the presentation in Paris on Tuesday, as the World champion is currently on holiday in the Seychelles with his fiancée Urska Zigart. However, he did make time for L’Équipe to take a look at the new course.
“It starts with a long first week in the north of France. That will be interesting, because there are tricky stages in between. There is also a 33-kilometre time trial that looks great,” said Pogačar. “But I especially like the climbing time trial to Peyragudes, because I have never climbed that climb during a time trial. I am curious to see what will happen there, but so far I have ridden well in the Pyrenees.”
For the leader of UAE Team Emirates, the mountain stages in the last two weeks stand out. “The Mont Ventoux stage is mainly flat, but the climb is very tough, really for the pure climbers. I love the Ventoux, it is different from all other mountains. And then there is also the fact that it is planned right after the second rest day.”
The last mountain stages of the Tour take place in the Alps. “It is always tough there,” said the three-time Tour winner. “The stage to the Col de la Loze is perhaps the queen stage, because it has so many metres of elevation. That will be really brutal.”
Pogačar looking forward to the 2025 Tour:
Evenepoel’s Thoughts on the Tour Route
Remco Evenepoel was not at the presentation of the Tour de France on Tuesday, but he has had a look at the 2025 route: “It is a very special and beautiful route,” he said to L’Équipe.
Tour’25 doesn’t have many time trial kilometres, where Evenepoel can have an advantage. In the first week there is a 33 kilometre time trial around Caen and then only an 11 kilometre mountain time trial to Peyragudes. “A time trial so early in the Tour gives me the chance to take the yellow jersey in the first week, but it will not be very important for the general classification. After all, there are still many stages and mountains on the programme,” Evenepoel thinks.
“The organisers have designed beautiful mountain stages, with many legendary climbs. It is a very special and beautiful course, with a Tour start not far from the Belgian border,” the Belgian seems pleased.
Evenepoel happy:
Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) was One of the Few Tiders at the Presentation
The green jersey had this to say: “I had an incredible experience this year in the Tour de France, with three stage wins and the green jersey. In 2025, the Tour will be one of my big goals again, I will try to come back on top of my game to win. The possibility for a sprinter to win the first stage and wear the yellow jersey is a great opportunity for a rider like me. There seems to be a good balance between stages for pure sprinters and others with a greater difference in altitude that suit me better. I noticed that the last week will be very demanding again, as in 2024. Attending the official presentation for the first time was a very special moment that makes me look forward to it. Until then, there is a long way to go with other great races and the classics campaign.”
Biniam Girmay was in Paris for the presentation:
Will we See Wout van Aert in the Tour de France Next Year?
Wout van Aert should be happy with the route of this year’s Tour de France, but will the Belgian be at the start of La Grande Boucle next year? The 30-year-old Van Aert wants to make his debut in the Giro d’Italia. The Classics specialist was supposed to have been in Italy for the first time this year, but his crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen put that out of the question. Van Aert had to change his race program and rode the 2024 Tour de France with the Olympic Games in mind.
Van Aert had to postpone his Giro debut, but in 2025 he may be able to start La Corsa Rosa for the first time, or will he aim for the Tour. “We haven’t made a decision about his program yet,” his team directeur Grischa Niermann was at the Tour presentation and spoke to Sporza. “There are definitely some great rides for Wout, but we are discussing his wishes. This year he wanted to ride the Giro and that didn’t work out. Does he want to do that next year? We are discussing it and making plans. But the Tour does indeed look good for him.”
Van Aert at the Tour’25?
Jasper Philipsen Sees a ‘Unique’ Opportunity
The sprinters have quite a few chances of stage wins in 2025. On stage 1 the fast-finishers can fight over the first yellow jersey. “That doesn’t happen often,” Jasper Philipsen said.
The most successful Tour sprinter of the moment, Jasper Philipsen, is looking at the first stage with ambition. “The first stage in Lille is a great opportunity,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “It’s not often that sprinters can compete for the yellow jersey. I’ve never had that chance in my career, so I’m really enthusiastic.”
The opening stage is not the only stage for the sprinters. Philipsen sees “seven or eight chances, but I have to look at it in detail.” He also thinks he has a good chance on the stages with some climbing and the transition stages. “Those stages might also suit me, but that will mainly depend on my condition at that moment. The real mountain stages, to La Plagne for example, seem really tough to me, but in general I’m happy. The Tour is normally on my programme, but at the moment everyone is still enjoying their holidays. So we’ll have to wait and see what the exact planning will look like.”
Philipsen wants the first yellow jersey:
First Yellow Jersey Extra Incentive for Dylan Groenewegen
Just like Jasper Philipsen, Dylan Groenewegen also has his eye on the first yellow jersey in 2025. The Dutch champion of Jayco AlUla, doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. “Of course you automatically think of the yellow jersey. You don’t get that many chances as a sprinter. The opening stage is flat and therefore a chance, but of course you have to cross the finish line first. That is the first goal,” he said to NOS. “The yellow jersey is not necessarily an extra dimension. I try not to think about it too much. I haven’t done that in the past either. It’s just a sprint stage and you want to win it, and then you also get the yellow jersey. That’s something really beautiful. It’s really nice for a sprinter to start like this, it couldn’t be better.”
Five years ago, in the 2019 Tour, Groenewegen had a chance to win the first yellow jersey, but a crash in the last kilometre in Brussels shattered his dream. “The media was actually more concerned with it at the time. I didn’t have the feeling at the time: ‘I have to win yellow, I have to win yellow.’ I just wanted to win the stage and that includes yellow. That didn’t work then, but I hope it will work now.”
Groenewegen already feels the Tour tension. “I definitely feel the Tour vibe after today. I’ve just been on holiday in Dubai for three weeks. Now we’re back and I’ve started training again. Then you notice: I’m really looking forward to it again and we’re going to rock again. Then you start looking at your goals and the Tour is part of that. We’re definitely going for a stage again. It would be great if it were the first stage, but winning a stage is the first goal.”
Groenewegen looking forward to the Tour first stage:
Few Time Trial Kilometres, but Lefevere is Optimistic about Tour Chances of Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel was not present in Paris for the Tour de France 2025 route reveal, but team boss Patrick Lefevere was there. The Soudal Quick-Step team manager likes the route, he told Sporza.
The 2025 Tour doesn’t have many time trial kilometres. There is a 33 kilometre time trial around Caen in the first week and then a mountain time trial to Peyragudes. “But Remco can also ride uphill,” said Lefevere. “That number of kilometres may not seem like much, but you don’t lose or win the Tour that way. I think there is something in it.”
Evenepoel finished third in his first Tour de France last year, but he was well down on Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar. The Belgian lost time mainly in the mountains. However, he can take another step forward next year, Lefevere thinks. “He doesn’t have to attack himself, he just has to lose less time”, said Lefevere. “In one of the stages in the most recent Tour he lost a few minutes. I don’t see that happening anymore. He is a year older. But danger is around every corner. In the Tour you have to stay calm for three weeks. What he did this year was a bit anti-Remco, but he still comes third.”
With seven possible sprint stages, the Tour de France looks like it will suit Tim Merlier. The European champion wanted to ride the Tour de France this year, but didn’t fit into the big picture. What about 2025? “Seven flat stages, you can’t ignore that, right? We have to think about that carefully. I don’t decide everything, but I would say it should be possible. Very clear agreements have to be made then. But Tim can pull his weight, is a good guy and a lead-out like Bert Van Lerberghe can also protect Remco from the wind. Tim himself doesn’t feel too good to ride in front. I like the exercise. We can only select eight riders. It’s a puzzle for us. Is Remco open to that? Now he says yes. But tomorrow it might be something different. No, he says yes.”
Lefevere like the 2025 Tour route:
No Bonus Sprints on Climbs
In recent years, the Tour de France has had bonus sprints on some climbs, this will not happen in the 2025 Tour, Christian Prudhomme announced on Tuesday during the presentation in Paris.
The Tour introduced bonus seconds at certain points on the route a few years ago. Last year seconds could be taken at the top of the Côte de San Luca (stage 2), Col du Galibier (stage 4), Col de Pertus (stage 11) and Col du Noyer (stage 7); 8, 5 and 2 seconds could be gained. There was a fierce sprint on the Col de Pertus between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. This will not happen in 2025, but the Tour hasn’t abandoned the idea for good. In the future, the bonus sprints could return, said Prudhomme.
Pogačar and Vingegaard fighting it out for bonus seconds on the Col de Pertus:
Mark Cavendish Talks Tour and His Future
Mark Cavendish’s cycling career has come to an end, or has it? The 39-year-old sprint legend was still secretive about his future during the route presentation of the 2025 Tour de France on Tuesday.
Cavendish was one of the invited guests in Paris for the presentation of the 2025 Tour de France route. The British rider made history in the Tour earlier this year when he sprinted to his 35th Tour stage victory. He became the sole record holder, after sharing the record with Eddy Merckx. Cavendish was then going to say goodbye to the Tour de France, but he now seems to be having doubts about his future and whether he should hang up his racing bike.
For the presentation of the 2025 Tour route, Cavendish looked back on his record-breaking sprint and also his future. “After a Tour you always think as a rider: I’ll never do this again. But after a few days you miss it again, you miss the adrenaline. Will I return as a rider in the Tour? We’ll see,” he doesn’t rule anything out.
Cavendish not saying anything about his future:
Will Mathieu van der Poel Ride the Tour Next Year?
Mathieu van der Poel is on holiday at the moment, but he did take part in a criterium in Spain on Saturday. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider was the big crowd puller in Costa Blanca town of La Nucía. Before the start, he took the time to talk with the Spanish sports-paper Marca.
Van der Poel had a successful 2024 with a win in the E3 Saxo Classic, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and cyclocross and gravel World titles. Only the Tour de France was not a success. “It may be an exaggeration to say that I wasn’t happy during the Tour, but it wasn’t really a fun time. During my debut in the Tour (2021) I immediately took the yellow jersey. This year I struggled to reach my best level, although it wasn’t that bad either. I know I’m better in one-day races and that’s where my focus lies.”
It is not yet known whether we will see Van der Poel in the Tour de France next year. “We don’t know yet. It depends on how my season goes. Next summer might be a good time to start mountain biking again, if I have the time. That’s still a big goal.”
Van der Poel also discussed his rivalry with Tadej Pogačar. The two have fought some memorable duels in recent years, but they also get along very well. “I’ve raced against Tadej twice in the Tour of Flanders and we were always at the front. He’s a tough rival, but I like that. He goes to the limit in the race and I like that.” Pogačar won 25 races and made cycling history by winning Strade Bianche, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, the World championship and the Tour of Lombardy in one year. The question is whether he can maintain his level in 2025. “I hope he will not improve any further next season,” laughed Van der Poel.
“He has had one of the most impressive seasons in the history of our sport. I am sure he is very satisfied,” continued the Dutchman, who also sees Pogačar competing for victory in Paris-Roubaix in the future. “I have no doubt about that. In the cobbled stage in the Tour de France he already showed that he is also super strong on cobblestones.”
2025 Tour for MvdP?
48-Year-Old Óscar Sevilla Will Continue for Another Year
Óscar Sevilla is 48-years-old, but the Spanish has no intention of stopping racing and will start his 26th season next year with the Continental Team Medellín-EPM.
“I will continue for another year,” Sevilla told Ciclo21. “The 2024 cycling year was very difficult for me due to injuries, a crash in the Tour of Colombia and a bacterial infection that I contracted in hospital. These have been 25 very beautiful years as a professional and I do not want to end my career this way.”
Despite his age, Sevilla still feels competitive. He does not rule out that he will still be part of the peloton in 2026 at the age of 50. “I still feel good enough to contribute, to participate in competitions. I am in a very nice phase of my career, because I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t put any pressure on myself anymore. I mainly want to motivate younger children and give them confidence. I also feel more like a trainer and team leader these days. I want to help the younger riders in our team. Cycling is my life, it is my passion. I still feel like a child on the bike. I am not going to retire for the time being. I feel privileged. One day it will indeed stop, but I will remain connected to cycling after my cycling career.”
Sevilla started his professional career in 1998 with Kelme-Costa Blanca. He quickly developed into one of the better climbers in the peloton. In 2001, he came second in the Vuelta a España and seventh in the Tour de France. He also won the white young rider’s jersey in the 2001 Tour.
Sevilla’s career suffered a major setback in 2006 when he was suspended for his involvement in ‘Operación Puerto’, with doctor Eufemiano Fuentes. Sevilla returned to the peloton after his suspension, but never got another chance with a top team. The Spaniard then raced with many different teams, mostly at Continental level. Sevilla still achieves good results now, despite his age. In 2023 he was successful in the Vuelta Bantrab, Tour of the Gila, Tour de Panamá and the Clásico RCN. His biggest victory that year was the overall win in the Tour of Hainan (2.Pro).
Another season for Óscar:
Elia Viviani Still Ambitious and Has No Plans to Stop Yet
At 35, Elia Viviani has had a long and extremely successful career, but the Italian has no retirement plans. The sprinter still has ambitions and dreams, as he told Bikechannel.
Viviani was one of the fastest riders on the road and track for many years. In recent years he has been spending more time on the track, with success. Viviani became World champion in the elimination race in 2021 and 2022 and this year won Olympic silver in the madison, after winning Olympic gold in the omnium in 2016.
The fast Italian is certainly not saying goodbye to track cycling, he hopes to be back at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in four years’ time, but will focus more on the road in this non-Olympic year. “I would like to return to the Giro d’Italia next year. Winning a stage in the Giro is really my dream. I want to relive the emotions of 2018 (Viviani won four Giro stages) that are now far away.” But will Viviani still be with INEOS Grenadiers in the next Giro d’Italia? His contract with the British team expires and a new contract hasn’t been mentioned.
Viviani still keen:
Bart Wellens Not Pleased with the Koppenbergcross Date
It’s going to be a busy weekend for the cyclocross teams: The Koppenbergcross is on Friday the November 1, as it is every year, but two days later the European Championships are in Pontevedra, Spain. Bart Wellens thinks that this should have been different. In an analysis for Het Nieuwsblad, the two-time World champion is critical of the UCI and the Koppenbergcross organisers.
“It is a disgrace that they do not think of the people next to the riders,” says Wellens. “The rider, he gets on the plane on Saturday and is in his hotel a few hours later. But in the meantime, the entourage has to make sure that the equipment gets there. From the Koppenberg to Pontevedra, that is two thousand kilometres. So they leave on Friday after the cross and have to drive day and night to get there on time, with a van that does not move at all. They can’t afford to rest because otherwise they won’t be on time for the race.”
“The UCI should never have allowed this,” says Wellens. “They are now creating a dangerous situation for the riders’ entourage. The solution was obvious. Why couldn’t the Koppenberg, for once, be organised on a different date, Wednesday for example? It’s a holiday week, there would always have been an audience there. The Koppenberg should have been restrained for once and the International Cycling Union should never have approved this calendar. And don’t get me wrong: Spain has just as much right as any other country to organise a European Championship. But it does create a dangerous situation and that’s a shame.”
Lars van der Haar in the Koppenbergcross:
UAE Team Emirates Claims UCI Crown for Second Successive Season
UAE Team Emirates Conclude the 2024 Season with Their Best-Ever 81 Wins
The UAE’s UCI World Tour Cycling Team, UAE Team Emirates, have marked the end of the 2024 season by securing the UCI World Tour Best Team ranking for the second time in two years.
Following the same achievement in 2023, the Emirati team set out to continue to break records in 2024. The Team have accomplished this feat in style, with 81 wins. In total, 20 different riders from the team have claimed victories, displaying the depth of talent in the squad.
The team’s efforts were once again commanded by Tadej Pogačar, who ends the year as the number one cyclist in the world for the fourth season in a row. Pogačar’s season was highlighted by his remarkable achievement of winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, making him the first cyclist in 54 years to accomplish this prestigious double. Pogačar then added the World Championship to his palmarès to complete the Triple Crown, becoming the third man to achieve this feat. Pogačar also secured victories across one-day racing, which included conquering monument races Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia.
Mauro Gianetti, Team Principal and CEO of UAE Team Emirates, said: “To secure the number one UCI ranking for the second successive season is a result of the hard work and dedication of the whole team, from staff to riders. We are always striving to be the best team in the world. It is clear now that our hard work is paying off, and this is a testament to the support and dedication from our riders, management, background team, sponsors, and of course, the UAE. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, we will continue to work as hard as we can to continue to improve and strive for more success in 2025.”
H.E Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, President of UAE Team Emirates: “It is once again an incredible honour to receive this award, I am so proud of the whole team. This year, we have broken many records, both on and off the road, I am so happy for Tadej and all of the riders, the impact they are making here in the UAE is unquestionable. Participation in cycling is at an all-time high in the UAE and the success of UAE Team Emirates is at the forefront of that. This is an achievement that should make the riders, management, staff, and sponsors extremely proud. The team is at the top of the cycling world once again, and I cannot wait to watch them race in 2025.”
H.E Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council: “This is a proud moment for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. This achievement reinforces the continual investment in cycling across the region, making it more accessible to our communities. The impact of this amazing team, both in Abu Dhabi and around the world cannot be understated. The team’s success, especially over the last two seasons has been an inspiration to us all and we look forward to supporting the team for many years to come.”
Top team of 2024:
CANYON//SRAM Racing Announces New Co-title Partner for 2025
CANYON//SRAM Racing and CANYON//SRAM Generation will become CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto from 2025 in a new three-year co-title partnership deal signed last week in Monaco.
As one of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region’s largest regulated cryptocurrency exchange marketplaces, zondacrypto was established in Poland and has been active since 2014. Initially launched as a platform for Bitcoin, zondacrypto has since expanded to support the trading of numerous cryptocurrencies. The platform has licenses to operate in Italy, Switzerland, Cyprus, Lithuania, Slovakia, Estonia, and Canada and serves a growing community of over 1.3 million active users.
Ronny Lauke, Team Manager, CANYON//SRAM Racing: “We’re excited to welcome zondacrypto as one of our main partners starting in 2025. As we evolve as a team, it’s essential to align with partners that share our drive for innovation and ambition. The dynamic approach to digital finance that zondacrypto has, coupled with its vision for the future, makes it the perfect partner to help us push boundaries both on and off the bike. Together as CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto, we look forward to forging new paths and continuing to elevate women’s cycling globally.”
Przemysław Kral, CEO of zondacrypto, matched the excitement: “zondacrypto holds the yellow jersey of the cryptocurrency industry leader in the CEE region. Now we are riding together with the world’s leading cycling team, which includes the last winner of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift on board. As a brand, we are very committed to supporting female sports. We are already partners of Magdalena Fręch and Giro d’Italia Women. And now it’s time to start racing together and achieve many more successes.”
Jonas Möslein, Kasia Niewiadoma and Ronny Lauke with zondacrypto CEO Przemysław Kral:
Bahrain Victorious Announce Four New Riders for 2025 Season
Bahrain Victorious are excited to announce the addition of four talented riders to its roster for the upcoming 2025 season: Mathijs Paasschens, Afonso Eulálio, Roman Ermakov, and Oliver Stockwell.
28-year-old Paasschens joins from Lotto-Dstny with a wealth of experience. Known for his versatility and strength in breakaways, Paasschens excels in classics and one-day races. His notable achievements include winning a stage and the overall classification at the Kreiz Breizh Elites in 2019 (his first professional year) and securing the mountains classification at the 2022 Tour of Britain. The Dutchman is looking forward to taking his career to the next level with Bahrain Victorious: “Over the past years I’ve been trying to improve myself step by step. I’m looking forward to this next step in my career and believe that the professional environment and ambitions within the team will help me in developing myself even further. I want to prove myself as a valuable rider who the team can count on. I can’t wait to meet the whole team at training camp in December.”
Continuing its focus on young talent, Bahrain Victorious also welcome 23-year-old Portuguese climber Afonso Eulálio, who had a standout 2024 season with impressive results at the Volta a Portugal, including top 10 finishes in both the general and mountains classifications. Eulálio is eager to grow with the team: “I feel very happy to be joining the team for the next two years. I hope that with this opportunity I get the chance to continuously evolve and grow with one of the best teams in the world. I feel so motivated, and I look forward to thanking the team for the chance they gave me by showing it during the races.”
Following in the footsteps of Zak Erzen, Daniel Skerl, and Max Van der Meulen – who will all make their WorldTour debuts with Bahrain Victorious in 2025 – two more promising riders are set to join the team from CTF Victorious, Bahrain Victorious’ U23 development squad: Oliver Stockwell and Roman Ermakov. Both riders have gained valuable experience and shown great potential while riding for CTF. Now, they are ready to take the next step in their careers by moving up to the WorldTour.
22 year old Stockwell, moves up to Bahrain Victorious after three seasons with CTF Victorious. The British rider has been very consistent since joining CTF in 2022, including top 10 finishes in key U23 races like the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta. Stockwell is enthusiastic about his first year in the WorldTour: “I’m super excited for this step up to the WorldTour with team Bahrain Victorious. Having spent the last three years in the development team, I’m really excited to get going in the WorldTour and to learn from some of these really experienced guys. Hopefully I can learn a lot and make some big improvements.”
Also making the step up from CTF is 20 year old Roman Ermakov, who has already had several notable successes. He clinched victory at the prestigious 2024 GP Kranj in Slovenia, winning decisively after a solo attack. This win, along with his victory at the Ruota d’Oro, highlights his potential as a rider capable of excelling in one-day races and challenging stages. Ermakov’s talent showed in the development ranks has earned him a spot in the WorldTour team. Ermakov is also excited about joining Bahrain Victorious: “It’s impossible to describe the feeling in one or two or any amount of sentences because it’s just more than the dream that came true. Obviously, it’s a dream of every cyclist to become a WorldTour rider. It’s just amazing to realise that several years ago you were a young guy just riding your bike because of pleasure and now you are a WorldTour rider. It’s just something you can’t describe. I’m just super happy and honoured to join team Bahrain Victorious.”
Alpecin-Deceuninck – Five New Faces – Four Promotions
Alpecin-Deceuninck welcomes five new faces for the 2025 cycling year. Johan Price-Pejtersen and Slovenian Gal Glivar join our WorldTour team, while young talents Nio Vandevorst, Aless De Bock and Stefano Viezzi join our development team.
In addition, four guys from our development team have ‘graduated’ and will make the move to the WorldTour from January 1. They are Simon Dehairs, Ramses Debruyne, Emiel Verstrynge and Tibor Del Grosso.
The five newcomers:
- Johan Price-Pejtersen (WT, Denmark, 25) – contract until the end of 2026
- Gal Glivar (WT, Slovenia, 22) – contract until the end of 2026
- Stefano Viezzi (Devo, Italy, 18) – contract until the end of 2026
- Aless De Bock (Devo, Belgium, 18) – contract until the end of 2027
- Nio Vandevorst (Devo, Belgium, 18) – contract until the end of 2027
Johan Price-Pejtersen (25, WorldTour): “Alpecin-Deceuninck has clearly established itself as a dominant force in cycling in recent years, with a strong winning culture and an uncompromising commitment to performance. It’s exactly the kind of environment I want to be a part of.”
Gal Glivar (22, WorldTour): “I’m a rider with capacities for short, explosive climbs and I’m not slow in a small group sprint. My short-term goal is to make a smooth start in the WorldTour. My long-term goal is to win some big races and participate in the Tour de France.”
Stefano Viezzi (18, Devo): “Joining Alpecin-Deceuninck is a big step in my career. It offers an ideal environment to grow in both cyclocross and road racing. Their support for athletes who want to balance both disciplines was decisive in my choice and I see a great potential to improve in every aspect.”
Nio Vandevorst (18, Devo): “I am sure I can learn and develop a lot in this team. I can do well on almost any course, I am an all-rounder with a strong sprint and my goal for next season is to be able to hold my own in the peloton and maybe take a win. In the long run I hope to make the step to the WorldTour.”
Aless De Bock (18, Devo): “During an initial interview, I immediately felt comfortable. The down-to-earth mentality appealed to me and it seems like a good foundation for my future. I believe I can quietly grow here over the next three years and take my chances in climbing and the hill classics.”
Johan Price-Pejtersen to Alpecin-Deceuninck:
Team Novo Nordisk Sign British Talent Hamish Armitt for 2025
The world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team is sticking with the proven method of developing youthful talent, announcing today its latest prospect with 22-year-old Glaswegian Hamish Armitt joining the Team Novo Nordisk pro team on a two-year contract through 2026.
“Hamish came to our attention this year and really made an impression at our Talent ID camp in Italy in July,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “His background is a mix of athletics and cycling, but he’s been racing seriously on the bike for some time now and his physical capabilities are impressive. Really good numbers in testing and we’re excited to help him take the next step in realising his potential.”
A former British junior national cross country running champion, Armitt began cycling as a 12-year-old and raced regularly for four years before focusing more on elite junior athletics and triathlon through his teens, returning to the bike and competitive racing after leaving school.
“I am really excited to be joining Team Novo Nordisk,” said Armitt. “This is an amazing opportunity and I am looking forward to competing in the pro ranks and gaining experience over the next few years while developing at the highest level.”
“It will be important for me to gain as much experience as possible, but I am ambitious and have goals that I want to achieve, it would be amazing to get a podium or even a win in my first season – I know this will be hard as the level is very high, but I am very motivated to take part in some big races and see what I can do.”
Born and raised in Glasgow, Armitt is a talented all-rounder with strong climbing skills and an eye for a sprint on a punchier parcours. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 15 he has represented Great Britain numerous times in track and field and joins TNN after impressing at the team’s annual Talent ID camp in Tuscany in July.
A stagiaire role with the TNN Development team followed at the Tour of Bulgaria in August and Tour of Istanbul in September as Armitt impressed further with displays of aggressive racing, securing a top ten on the final stage in Bulgaria, 11th overall and fourth in the young rider classification.
Hamish Armitt to Team Novo Nordisk:
Nina Berton signs with EF-Oatly-Cannondale – Luxembourger is a budding classics rider
The Luxembourgish rider, Nina Berton, has inked a deal to join EF-Oatly-Cannondale beginning in 2025.
Having raced professionally for just two years, Nina is still an emerging rider, but she knows where her passions lie.
“The classics are the races that I enjoy the most. I really enjoy a long, hard day of racing, especially if the weather is not so good,” Nina said. “I still need to learn a lot but my goal for the classics season is to be of use to my teammates so we can get a good result.”
Nina’s drive and potential appealed to EF-Oatly-Cannondale general manager Esra Tromp. “Nina is super passionate and determined. She wants a long career and to develop step by step. Nina is a rider that doesn’t give up easily, wants to work really hard, and can be super versatile. That makes her a great addition to our roster,” Esra said.
Signing with EF-Oatly-Cannondale was an easy decision for the 23-year-old. “The team’s culture and vision matched what I was looking for,” Nina said. “There’s a lot of focus on being a person and not just an athlete. If your mind is happy, then performance can follow. This really appealed to me. I think there are a lot of areas where I can still grow and improve and I’m excited to work on these with the team. Plus, the idea of building up this team so we can win big races is quite an exciting adventure.”
Apart from racing and training, Nina spends her free time outside. “I love to go out in nature. I go for walks or for adventures like backpacking or bikepacking. For the offseason, I’m thinking of going to one of the Scandinavian countries and either bikepacking or hiking. When I was young, I did a lot of camping and I still love it,” she said.
In addition to camping, Nina grew up taking family trips to watch the men’s Tour de France. “With the camper van, we sometimes traveled to mountain stages like Alpe d’Huez and we watched the men racing up. This really gave me the push to try it myself because I just wanted to see how fast I could ride up these climbs. Then when I started to do my first races, I really enjoyed it,” Nina said.
Nina constantly looks for opportunities to push herself, both on and off the bike. She has just started her second year of studying psychology, a program she said has helped her learn about herself as a rider. “Cycling has taught me to be more patient,” she said. “As a young athlete, you always want to reach the top of the sport as fast as possible but it doesn’t work that way. So I’ve learned to be patient and to go one step at a time.”
That doesn’t mean Nina has swapped patience for passivity. “I’m quite an aggressive rider. If I get the chance to go into breakaways, I love to do this. I also love the hard races where you have to push through and where it’s a real effort to survive. I love this aspect of fighting against yourself but also the team aspect that you race together and so you push each other.”
And we can’t wait to see it. Welcome to the team, Nina!
Nina Berton to EF:
Fausto Masnada Joins Astana Qazaqstan Team
Italian rider Fausto Masnada (30) will join Astana Qazaqstan Team, signing a one-year contract for the 2025 season.
Among Masnada’s top results are a stage victory at the 2019 Giro d’Italia, second place at the Il Lombardia and third overall at the Tour de Romandie in 2021, as well as second place in the General Classification at the Tour of Oman in 2022.
“If someone had told me just a few weeks ago that I’d be joining Astana Qazaqstan Team next year, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and excited to be part of such a respected team. After two difficult seasons, this is the perfect chance for me to reset and aim for new goals. The project the team is building for 2025 is incredibly inspiring, and I can’t wait to contribute to its success. I’m grateful to the managers and everyone involved in making this contract happen, and for the trust they’ve placed in me. I can’t wait to wear the new jersey and represent the team,” said Fausto Masnada.
“We are happy to welcome Fausto Masnada to Astana Qazaqstan Team. Fausto is an experienced rider who has shown excellent results in stage races, mountain stages, and one-day classics. I’m confident that his potential is far from exhausted. He has faced some challenges in recent seasons, but I believe that within our team, he will be able to unlock his full potential and return to a high level. His determination, work ethic, and ability to perform on difficult courses perfectly align with the goals we are pursuing. We are excited to see him race in our team’s jersey for the first time, and we expect him to make a significant contribution to the overall success of our project,” said Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team.
Fausto Masnada Joins Astana Qazaqstan:
In Pontevedra (Spain) the Best Specialists for the Cyclo-Cross European Championships
On Sunday 3 November, Pontevedra (Spain) will host one of the most exciting editions of the Cyclo-Cross European Championships.
The Galician town, which has been a point of reference for international Cyclo-Cross races for many years, is once again preparing to host a series of high-level challenges.
185 athletes from 19 countries have registered for the continental event. The seven titles will be up for grabs on Saturday and Sunday (the Masters races will take place on Friday 1 November with 321 entries): Elite Men, Junior Men, Men Under 23, Women Under 23, Elite Women, Junior Women, as well as the Mixed Relay title.
In the Men’s Elite race, the challenge is expected to continue between the Belgian and Dutch riders, the two national teams that will be lining up at the start with a number of top-class athletes.
The Belgian team, in addition to reigning European Champion Michael Vanthourenhout (also first in 2022), will include former European Champions Toon Aerts (2016) and Eli Iserbyt (2020) as well as young Thibau Nys and Niels Vandeputte.
Lars van der Haar, winner of the first European Elite title in 2015 and European Champion in 2021, will lead the Dutch team, which will also include Ryan Kamp and Pim Ronhaar. The presence of British rider Cameron Manson, second last year behind Vanthourenhout, will be particularly interesting.
Reigning World Champion Fem van Empel (Netherlands) and her compatriots Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado will be the stars of the Women’s race, along with Denise Betsema and Annemarie Worst, as well as Belgium’s Sanne Cant, France’s Hélène Clauzel and Italy’s Sara Casasola.
In the Under 23s, Jente Michiels (Belgium) and Marie Schreiber (Luxembourg), Célia Grey (France) and Kristýna Zemanová (Czechia) will be in action.
Among the expected protagonists in the Junior events are Kryštof Bažant (Czechia), the Belgians Arthur Van Den Boer, Mats Vanden Eynde, Giel Lejeune, the Austrian Valentin Hofer and the young Anja Grossmann (Switzerland) in the Women’s category.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “With the Cyclo-Cross European Championships in Pontevedra, we are gearing up for another exciting edition of this discipline. Cyclo-Cross is a fascinating form of cycling, rich in history and tradition, with deep roots in Europe. Spain, a land of great passion for cycling, and the region of Galicia, renowned for its rich culture, offer an ideal setting for this high-level event. We are honoured to be able to collaborate once again with the Real Federación Española de Ciclismo and its President José Luis Lopez Cerron, with whom we have an established relationship, and with the Federación Galega de Ciclismo chaired by Juan Carlos Muñiz Nieto, who is also head of the Organising Committee. Our special thanks go to the City of Pontevedra, whose mayor Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores has welcomed us with great enthusiasm from the presentation of the bid to the organisation of this event, and to the Organising Committee, headed by Alberto Del Rio Lorenzo, for their tireless work and dedication in ensuring the success of these Championships.”
“We are convinced that this will be a memorable event for athletes, enthusiasts and all those who help celebrate the excellence of European Cyclo-Cross. During what is sure to be a weekend of great sport, the UEC Management Board and the European cycling family will stand by the Czech delegation at this difficult time, following the recent and sudden death of their President Petr Marek, honouring his memory and remembering the valuable contribution he made to our sport.”
Info #EuroCross24 – click here.
The Euro cross champs are on Sunday:
World Champion Tadej Pogačar at Beking 2024
The star athlete ends a brilliant season in Monaco with his partner Urska Zigart. Together they will form a star-studded line-up of champions.
The countdown to the Beking Monaco on Sunday 24th November has begun, and the starting list for the event is already full of big names. They will be competing in front of the fans in the name of sport and charity.
Amongst them is the newly crowned World Champion, Tadej Pogačar, who will bring the splendour of the iris to the streets of Monaco, fresh off an extraordinarily successful season. This year, the 26-year-old Slovenian proved his dominance on the WorldTour with twenty-five season’s victories, including the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Lombardia – for the fourth time in a row – and, of course, the World Championship in Zurich.
In one of the highlights of his career, Pogačar will attend the Beking event to reaffirm his commitment to the project, which promotes cycling at all levels as a platform for spreading positive and meaningful messages. From sustainable mobility to the educational role of sport, the champion and his partner Urska Zigart are some of the most passionate spokespeople for this philosophy.
He will be joined by champions of the past and present as well as a few cycling greats. A team of great names who will pass on Beking’s mission and support the initiatives and commitment to a cycling-friendly society. Among those present in Monaco will be Tim Wellens, Elia Viviani and his wife Elena Cecchini, Jan Tratnik, Davide Formolo, the 2018 Road World Champion Mads Pedersen, Michael Matthews, Matej Mohorič and many others.
Matteo Trentin, godfather and founder of Beking Monaco, said he was once again delighted with the warm participation of his colleagues: “To see so many friends come here every year to reaffirm their support for this project is extraordinary.” said Trentin. “I am proud that Tadej will be wearing his new rainbow jersey on the streets of Monaco, it is a real honour for us. The public will be very happy to see the WorldTour champion up close and this will be a demonstration of how our sport can become a value in our society and in our daily lives. The WorldTour champions are fully aware of how the world needs to change, and I am delighted that they are putting their talents to good use, as Beking is. Together we are always stronger.”
To champion these important values, several prominent figures from the world of cycling and beyond will be in attendance, including Nicholas Roche, Manuel Quinziato, Thor Hushovd, Formula 1 driver Oliver Bearman, tennis star Marin Čilić, David Tanner, and race car driver Antonio Giovinazzi.
The date has been set for Sunday 24th November at the Port Hercule in Monaco, where families, fans, children, and great champions will come together to create a unique party that will demonstrate once again that cycling is first and foremost about community, growth and fun.
Tadej Pogačar to Beking 2024:
Velux becomes official partner of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
The deal with the Danish VELUX Group is another ringing endorsement of these races from the most bicycle-friendly country on Earth. Beyond its interest in the Tour de France, the VELUX Group has thrown its weight behind innovation and the pursuit of well-being solutions, which strikes a chord with cycling enthusiasts.
This partnership is the latest expression of the deep-rooted connection that has developed between Denmark and the Tour de France in recent years. The rise of the future two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard (2022 and 2023) in the 2021 Tour de France was just the beginning. The 2022 Grand Départ in Copenhagen was its defining celebration —with nearly two million spectators lining the roads in a country of six million and an average TV audience share of 78% for the first three stages, which were held entirely in Denmark, the Danish public made abundantly clear its passion for the Grande Boucle.
Lars Petersson, CEO, the VELUX Group: “Both VELUX and Tour de France have strong legacies and the ability to reinvent ourselves and we share the value that success comes from teamwork, persistence and excellence. This partnership makes great sense for VELUX. It’s perfectly aligned with our brand promise and provides an ideal platform to take it to a global audience. We see vast potential to engage with our customers and professional partners at roadside events during the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, while also promoting the benefits of bringing more natural light and fresh air into our lives.”
Yann Le Moënner, Managing Director, A.S.O.: “We are incredibly proud to welcome VELUX, an international group based in Denmark, as a partner of both the men’s and women’s versions of the Tour de France.The VELUX Group draws on a strong corporate culture to design high-performance products that promote health and well-being for all. The Danish infatuation with cycling is beyond dispute. During the 2022 Grand Départ in Copenhagen, around two million people lined the roads, and the TV audience share (averaging 78% for the first three stages in Denmark) highlighted the love of the most bicycle-friendly country on Earth for the Tour de France. We share with the VELUX Group a culture of innovation, local roots and the ambition to make a big positive impact wherever we go. Both VELUX and the Tour are adamant about the importance of building a future where environmental protection, regional development and youth awareness about well-being take centre stage. Joining forces made perfect sense. We are thrilled to have VELUX at our side to shine a new spotlight on every rider.”
Key points:
- The Danish VELUX Group, whose history goes all the way back to 1941, comes up with innovative roof window solutions to elevate the well-being of its customers.
- VELUX is joining the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift as an official partner for the next three years. The company will also lend its support to L’Étape du Tour de France.
- The race numbers of the champions racing in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will feature VELUX branding.
2025 Arctic Race of Norway Back on the Beaten Track
After the 2024 edition remained within the borders of Nordland, in and around Bodø, the 2025 Arctic Race of Norway will be returning further north to the county of Troms. Its four stages include all the staples of this race for the toughest of the tough.
The opening stage will take the peloton from Borkenes, part of Kvæfjord Municipality, to Harstad on a course that has “sprint finish” written all over it. Harstad will be hosting a stage finish for the fourth time, after 2013, 2015 and 2021. The finish line, situated on a false flat at the end of a 182kilometre course, will put a smile on the face of the ambassador of the Arctic Race of Norway, Thor Hushovd, who prevailed there in 2013.
In stage2, Tennevoll will be making its debut as a start town, but the riders already called there in 2015 and 2017. The first part of the course is on the challenging side. As soon as the flag goes down, the cyclists will get to grips with the Lapphaugen summit (7.6km at 3.9%), which will serve as a launch pad for hard men to break away. They will get no respite, with the Gratangsbotn summit (5.5km at 5%) coming right after that and turning the first 36kilometres into a sufferfest. The victor will be crowned in Sørreisa after completing two laps of a 14km final circuit featuring a 1.9km grey road at 3%.
True-blue fans of the Arctic Race of Norway are bound to recognise the landscapes of stage3. Husøy, a charming little peninsula in Senja Municipality, will set the scene for a start amid the fjords. The municipality already hosted the race in 2015 and 2021. The peloton will start climbing right off the bat (2.1km at 9.3%). Riders who excel when the road bends towards the sky will clash all the way to the finish line, set up 182km down the road in Målselv, where it will be perched at the top of a 3.7km climb at 7.8%. So far, this summit has been the sole preserve of Ben Hermans, who triumphed when the race called there in 2015 and 2021. Last time, he went on to win the event outright.
The twelfth edition will draw to a close in Tromsø. Five laps of a circuit about 30km long, for a total of 141km, will turn the finale into a war of attrition, with eight climbs adding to the challenge. This sequence of difficulties will throw the race wide open and prove the old adage that fortune favours the bold. The short but hectic course means that the man in the midnight sun jersey will have his work cut out for him to keep his rivals at bay until the very finish.
Key points:
- The route of the 2025 Arctic Race of Norway was unveiled today, Wednesday, 30October 2024, in Harstad.
- From Thursday, 7 to Sunday, 10August 2025, the peloton will zigzag around the fjords on the coast of the Norwegian Sea, sculpted by nature over the ages.
- The winner will be crowned at the end of a route designed in the fine tradition of the northernmost race on the cycling calendar, mixing sprinter-friendly courses on the seaboard with short but nasty walls tailored to puncheurs. Grey roads will be returning for the twelfth edition following their successful debut in 2024.
Route of the 2025 Arctic Race of Norway:
Thursday, 7August — stage1: Borkenes (Kvæfjord) – Harstad, 182km
Friday, 8August — stage2: Tennevoll (Lavangen) – Sørreissa (153km)
Saturday, 9August — stage3: Husøy (Senja) – Målselv (Alpine Village) (182km)
Sunday, 10August — stage4: Tromsø – Tromsø (141km)
Legends Night Dinner: Tickets on Sale
Parkhotel Valkenburg’s Chinese Adventure Video
Parkhotel Valkenburg was followed by the regional broadcaster NH Sport during the Tour of Hainan and the Tour of Poyang Lake. The first part of the documentary ‘Brede Wegen’ went online on YouTube on Sunday.
The documentary provides a unique insight into the ins and outs of the North Holland Continental cycling team of Jelte Krijnsen from the preparations for the trip to China to the tactical discussions before and after the stages. The camera crew of NH Sport went on the road with the cycling team for a total of three weeks. Next week, the second part of the documentary will be online, which is about the Tour of Poyang Lake, that tour was a lot more successful for the cycling team, as Niek Voogt managed to win a stage.
Brede Wegen:
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